Japanese Internment Memorial

I have walked passed this building many times and never knew that this was inside. The vignettes I found to be the most interesting was at the entrance there is a bronze memorial dedicated to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. This memorial stands at about five feet and tells the history of the Japanese Americans who were interned. The memorial shows figures in houses, coming off of boats, and working among other things. It was a very interesting piece. As I learned more about this piece I found out that the sculptor was Ruth Asawa who was interned at the age of 16. Another piece I found interesting was the panel that had a copy of the relocation instructions along with a map of the locations of the internment camps with the populations at each campsite. The next panel is called “Hysteria of War” and shows Japanese Americans boarding a train. With them are their belongings. Their faces are somber and most of them are looking down and have sad faces. Many of the women are hold young children in their arms. Next to the train are guards with big rifle looking guns. Just in case they get unruly. These people boarded the train to take them to the Santa Anita race track where they were many of them were held in horse stalls for close to six months. In the center there is a big watchtower glooming over the Japanese at the camp. It reminded me that “big brother” is always watching. In the panel there are scenes of the Japanese eating in the mess hall and even playing volleyball and baseball on the camp’s grounds. With guards watching from the watchtower of course. Like I mentioned before, I have walked passed this building many times before and never knew what the panels were about. Now I have more of an understanding and knowledge of the Japanese presence in San Jose and why there is Japan town in San Jose as well.

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